Here’s a look at the Super Bowl prospects of the Minnesota Vikings, who finished the season 8-8:

Vikings Super Bowl barometer: Should contend, but there are question marks.

Assessing the foundation: The Minnesota Vikings have one of the best defenses in the league, and the most important young players from that group are under contract, with cornerback Xavier Rhodes likely headed for a lucrative extension in the near future. The offensive side of the ball, though, is where the Vikings' questions remain. Their offensive line went through eight different combinations last season, and though injuries played a major part in the upheaval, the Vikings had plenty of players who weren't performing well when they were healthy. The team has to make a decision on the future of its running game, with Adrian Peterson turning 32 in March and likely only returning on a restructured contract. And coach Mike Zimmer, who earned a contract extension after leading the Vikings to a division title in 2015, will have to reestablish himself somewhat after the Vikings lost eight of their final 11 games following a 5-0 start.

Judging the quarterback: Sam Bradford posted the best numbers of his career in 2016, throwing for a career-high 3,877 yards while setting an NFL single-season record for completion percentage. He'll return as the incumbent in 2017, with offensive coordinator Pat Shurmur back to work closely with him. Bradford would benefit from an improved offensive line; he was one of the NFL's more accurate passers when he did have occasion to throw downfield, but he didn't do it very often. It should be noted that Bradford's average target was the shortest in the NFL in 2016, according to ESPN Stats & Information. If he has better protection in front of him, he should be able to be more effective. Teddy Bridgewater will try to work back from a catastrophic left knee injury to show he can still be in the Vikings' plans, but it's difficult to expect he'll be ready to start the season.

Realistic ways the Vikings can improve their chances to contend for a Super Bowl:

1. Fix the offensive line: The tackle position, where T.J. Clemmings started on the left side almost by default, needs an overhaul, though the Vikings will have to do it in a thin free-agent market and without a first-round pick. Left tackle Matt Kalil, who went to injured reserve with a torn labrum in his hip, could come back instead of going to free agency.

2. Determine how to improve the run game: The Vikings were last in the league in rushing in 2016. How much of that was the offensive line, and how much of it was Peterson missing 13 games? That will be one of the questions that faces the Vikings this spring. A deep running-back draft could provide some younger options if the Vikings move on from Peterson, particularly if they're in search of a running back who can catch passes in Shurmur's offense.

3. Add a defensive tackle: Sharrif Floyd's injury history irked Zimmer, and the 2013 first-round pick might not be back on a fifth-year option that would pay him $6.76 million. The Vikings' run defense lagged at times with Floyd out, though, and they could use another interior pass rusher with Tom Johnson coming off a torn hamstring and Brian Robison turning 34 in April. Zimmer still doesn't have his version of Geno Atkins in Minnesota, and if Floyd can't stay healthy, the Vikings could look for a solid three-technique tackle this spring.